Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Condell, Henry (1757-1834)
CONDELL, HENRY (1757–1834), violinist and composer, was born in 1757. Nothing is known of his parentage or early life, but about the beginning of the century he was a prominent member of the orchestras of the King's Theatre, Drury Lane, and Covent Garden. In 1803 he wrote an overture to Dimond's historical play 'The Hero of the North' (produced at Drury Lane 19 Feb. 1803), and in 1804 for Fawcett's ballet 'The Enchanted Island' (played at the Haymarket). In 1803 he set the musical farce 'Who wins, or the Widow's Choice' (Covent Garden, 25 Feb.). and in 1810 wrote music for F. Reynolds's 'Bridal Ring' (Covent Garden, 16 Oct.) In the same year 'Transformation,' ascribed to Allingham, with music by Condell, was produced by the Drury Lane company at the Lyceum (30 Nov.) In 1811 he gained a prize at the Catch Club for his glee 'Loud blowe the wyndes.' Condell also wrote overtures to 'The House to be sold,' probably Kelly's opera, which was played at Drury Lane in 1802, and to 'Love laughs at Locksmiths,' besides some incidental music in 'Aladdin,' performed at Covent Garden, a set of six songs dedicated to Lady Lake, and a few harpsichord duets. He died at Cave House, Battersea, after a severe and lingering illness, on 24 June 1824.
[Grove's Dict. of Music, i. 389 b; Baker's Biographia Dramatics, vol. iii.; Gent. Mag. for 1814, 199, and 1824, 645; European Mag., June 1824.]
END OF THE ELEVENTH VOLUME.